The Watergate Scandal

The Watergate ScandalThe Watergate Scandal

The Rise of CynicismThe Rise of Cynicism

The Nixon YearsThe Nixon Years

Richard Nixon’s Political Career

•Anticommunist in 1950’s

•VP to Eisenhower

•Lost to JFK in 1960

•Elected President in 1968

The Many Faces of NixonThe Many Faces of Nixon

Part One, The HarmonizerPart One, The Harmonizer Nixon Appeals to the “Silent Majority”Nixon Appeals to the “Silent Majority”

Fear of rising crime rates Fear of rising crime rates Fear of social violence Fear of social violence Fear of widespread drug abuse Fear of widespread drug abuse Concerns about sexual permissiveness Concerns about sexual permissiveness Concerns about disdain for patriotism Concerns about disdain for patriotism Fear of racial tensions Fear of racial tensions Desire for law and order Desire for law and order

NixonNixonas “Harmonizer”as “Harmonizer”

Election of 1968Election of 1968 Nixon Defeats Nixon Defeats

Herbert HumphreyHerbert Humphrey Nixon Defeats Nixon Defeats

George WallaceGeorge Wallace

Context for 1968Context for 1968

Turmoil of the year: Tet, MLK, RFKTurmoil of the year: Tet, MLK, RFK Growing anti-war protestsGrowing anti-war protests Convergence of Vietnam w/ Civil Convergence of Vietnam w/ Civil

Rights MovementRights Movement MLK: “The bombs in Vietnam explode at MLK: “The bombs in Vietnam explode at

home”home” Anti-war violence dovetails w/ racial Anti-war violence dovetails w/ racial

violenceviolence ““White backlash”White backlash”

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968

Election of 1968Election of 1968

Nixon and Republicans winNixon and Republicans win See how to build new winning coalitionSee how to build new winning coalition Wallace’s success lead’s to new Wallace’s success lead’s to new

electoral strategyelectoral strategy

The Republican “Southern The Republican “Southern Strategy”Strategy”

Appeal to the fears of blue collar workers Appeal to the fears of blue collar workers Appeal to Southern and suburban whitesAppeal to Southern and suburban whites

Demonstrate opposition to the forced Demonstrate opposition to the forced integration of schools integration of schools

Moratorium on busing to achieve integrationMoratorium on busing to achieve integration Exploit social issues that mattered to Exploit social issues that mattered to

Roman Catholic votersRoman Catholic voters Aid to parochial schools Aid to parochial schools Strong anti-abortion stance Strong anti-abortion stance Opposition to pornography and obscenityOpposition to pornography and obscenity



Why Such a Landslide?Why Such a Landslide? Press was tougher on Dems than Reps (curious Press was tougher on Dems than Reps (curious

but true)but true) Democratic convention rules guaranteed a Democratic convention rules guaranteed a

liberal candidate: 1968 indicated a new liberal candidate: 1968 indicated a new conservative surgeconservative surge

Democrats had to drop the VP candidate, Democrats had to drop the VP candidate, Thomas Eagleton (mental health record)Thomas Eagleton (mental health record)

Democrats supported immediate end to Democrats supported immediate end to Vietnam; Nixon’s “Peace with Honor” sounded Vietnam; Nixon’s “Peace with Honor” sounded betterbetter


What was Watergate?What was Watergate?


Why did Nixon Do It?Why did Nixon Do It? Desire for a “legacy”: assure victory in Desire for a “legacy”: assure victory in

1972 and undermine critics1972 and undermine critics ParanoiaParanoia

Fears of radical forces on the leftFears of radical forces on the left Hatred of the pressHatred of the press

Watergate ChronologyWatergate Chronology

1.1. June 17, 1972: Burglars caught in DNC June 17, 1972: Burglars caught in DNC HQHQ

2.2. Feb. 7, 1973: Senate Select Cmte on Feb. 7, 1973: Senate Select Cmte on Presidential Campaign ActivitiesPresidential Campaign Activities

3.3. April 23, 1973: White House denies Nixon April 23, 1973: White House denies Nixon knew anythingknew anything

4.4. May 25, 1973: Special Prosecutor May 25, 1973: Special Prosecutor AppointedAppointed

5.5. July 16, 1973: Butterfield testifies that July 16, 1973: Butterfield testifies that tapes existtapes exist

Watergate ChronologyWatergate Chronology

6.6. July 25, 1973: Nixon refuses to July 25, 1973: Nixon refuses to comply w/ subponea for tapescomply w/ subponea for tapes

7.7. October 20, 1973: Saturday Night October 20, 1973: Saturday Night Massacre”Massacre”

8.8. July 24, 1974: Supreme Court July 24, 1974: Supreme Court orders Nixon to turn over tapesorders Nixon to turn over tapes

9.9. July 27, 1974: Impeachment article July 27, 1974: Impeachment article adopted by House Judiciary Cmteadopted by House Judiciary Cmte

10.10. August 9, 1974: Nixon ResignsAugust 9, 1974: Nixon Resigns

Carter and ReaganCarter and Reagan

IntroductionIntroduction Legacy of WatergateLegacy of Watergate

Nixon forced to resign or face Nixon forced to resign or face impeachmentimpeachment

Gerald Ford becomes VP: only Gerald Ford becomes VP: only president never electedpresident never elected

Credibility Gap very real; cynicism Credibility Gap very real; cynicism about government and service to about government and service to country at a highcountry at a high


Ford PresidencyFord Presidency Short-lived: August 1974-Jan. 1975Short-lived: August 1974-Jan. 1975 Heavy political burden: The Nixon Heavy political burden: The Nixon

pardonpardon Claims of a “deal” were rampantClaims of a “deal” were rampant Party had no choice but to Party had no choice but to

nominate and support, but…nominate and support, but…


Policies (like most Presidents after Policies (like most Presidents after 1968, had to deal w/ hostile Congress1968, had to deal w/ hostile Congress Signed the 1974 Campaign Finance Signed the 1974 Campaign Finance

Reform Act that created the FEC AND set Reform Act that created the FEC AND set limits on corporate, individual and PAC limits on corporate, individual and PAC contributions (later declared contributions (later declared unconsitiutional in unconsitiutional in Buckley v. Valeo Buckley v. Valeo 1976)1976)

South Vietnam fell on Ford’s “watch” South Vietnam fell on Ford’s “watch” further weakening his presidencyfurther weakening his presidency

The Carter PresidencyThe Carter Presidency

BackgroundBackground Born in Plains, GA in 1924Born in Plains, GA in 1924 U.S. Naval Academy (59 out of 820)U.S. Naval Academy (59 out of 820) Nuclear engineer and peanut Nuclear engineer and peanut

FarmerFarmer Elected Governor of GA, 1966 and Elected Governor of GA, 1966 and

19701970


Capitalized on his status as a Capitalized on his status as a Washington “outsider”Washington “outsider” Began all his campaign speeches and Began all his campaign speeches and

appearances with “appearances with “Hi, my name is Jimmy Hi, my name is Jimmy Carter and I’m running for presidentCarter and I’m running for president.”.”

Campaigned as “honest man”; homey, Campaigned as “honest man”; homey, southern style, and “born-again” religion southern style, and “born-again” religion helped reinforcehelped reinforce

Attacked wasteful, inefficient federal Attacked wasteful, inefficient federal bureaucracybureaucracy

Debates w/ Ford sealed the deal (Ford: Debates w/ Ford sealed the deal (Ford: “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern “There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe”Europe”


Economic difficultiesEconomic difficulties ““Stagflation” still plagued the nation: Stagflation” still plagued the nation:

inflation (13.5% by 1980) and high inflation (13.5% by 1980) and high unemployment (9% in 1977); Keynesnian unemployment (9% in 1977); Keynesnian spending no goodspending no good

Encouraged Americans to conserve energy Encouraged Americans to conserve energy and water; Another energy crisis furthers and water; Another energy crisis furthers inflation: 1979 OPEC hikes oil prices by inflation: 1979 OPEC hikes oil prices by 50%50%

a and b led to his unfortunate “malaise” a and b led to his unfortunate “malaise” speech (July 1979) “a crisis of confidence” speech (July 1979) “a crisis of confidence”


Foreign PolicyForeign Policy Stressed “human rights” in all U.S. foreign Stressed “human rights” in all U.S. foreign

policypolicy Biggest achievement of his presidency Biggest achievement of his presidency

was the Camp David Peace Accords was the Camp David Peace Accords between Egypt and Israelbetween Egypt and Israel

Negotiated a treaty returning sovereignty Negotiated a treaty returning sovereignty of the Panama Canal (plus $1 billion)of the Panama Canal (plus $1 billion)

Responded to Soviet invasion of Responded to Soviet invasion of Afghanistan by halting grain shipments Afghanistan by halting grain shipments and boycotting the 1980 Summer Olympicsand boycotting the 1980 Summer Olympics


Iranian Revolution and hostage Iranian Revolution and hostage crisis were final blows to Carter crisis were final blows to Carter Presidency; Presidency;


Iranian Revolution and hostage Iranian Revolution and hostage crisiscrisis aborted rescue attempt seemed to aborted rescue attempt seemed to

confirm the “crisis of confidence” confirm the “crisis of confidence” and military decline since Vietnamand military decline since Vietnam

Carter’s inability to negotiate their Carter’s inability to negotiate their release (444 days in captivity) release (444 days in captivity) seemed to confirm his weakness as seemed to confirm his weakness as a leadera leader

The “Reagan Revolution”The “Reagan Revolution”

BackgroundBackground The Vietnam/Watergate “hangover” The Vietnam/Watergate “hangover”

seemed perpetualseemed perpetual Politics and political leadership had Politics and political leadership had

practically become “dirty words”practically become “dirty words” President Carter had alienated traditional President Carter had alienated traditional

Democratic voters (esp. labor and African Democratic voters (esp. labor and African Americans) with his spending cuts and Americans) with his spending cuts and tight money policiestight money policies

Time was ripe for new, innovative and Time was ripe for new, innovative and dynamic leadershipdynamic leadership


Had all the right qualities to Had all the right qualities to appeal to Republicansappeal to Republicans Reputation as strong Reputation as strong

anticommunist from movie daysanticommunist from movie days Supported the war in VietnamSupported the war in Vietnam Fiscal and social conservativeFiscal and social conservative Cold WarriorCold Warrior


Campaign focused on two themesCampaign focused on two themes ““Are you better of today than you Are you better of today than you

were four years ago”?were four years ago”? Redeem America from moral Redeem America from moral

pessimism and permissiveness of pessimism and permissiveness of 1965-1975: “1965-1975: “join me in my crusade join me in my crusade to recapture our destiny. God bless to recapture our destiny. God bless AmericaAmerica!”!”

Defeated Carter 489-49 (only GA, Defeated Carter 489-49 (only GA, MD,MN and D.C. to Carter)MD,MN and D.C. to Carter)




ReaganonmicsReaganonmics The unlikely combination: cut taxes, The unlikely combination: cut taxes,

increase defense spending, deregulation increase defense spending, deregulation and reduction in social expendituresand reduction in social expenditures

Economic Recovery Act of 1981Economic Recovery Act of 1981 25% tax cut over three years25% tax cut over three years Incentives for IRA’sIncentives for IRA’s Cut maximum tax rates and capital gains taxes Cut maximum tax rates and capital gains taxes

(taxes on profit made in stocks or other (taxes on profit made in stocks or other “speculative” operations“speculative” operations

Cut corporate taxes and windfall profit tax on Cut corporate taxes and windfall profit tax on oiloil

The “Reagan Revolution”The “Reagan Revolution” ReaganonmicsReaganonmics

Deregulation/Smaller GovDeregulation/Smaller Gov Relaxed regulations on banking (interest-bearing Relaxed regulations on banking (interest-bearing

checking accounts and money markets)checking accounts and money markets) Deregulated the airlines: lower fares and more Deregulated the airlines: lower fares and more

competitioncompetition Tried to open new land to development; Sec. of Tried to open new land to development; Sec. of

Interior James Watt was a lightening rod: leased off-Interior James Watt was a lightening rod: leased off-shore drilling rights and proposed opening national shore drilling rights and proposed opening national parks to timber cuttingparks to timber cutting

Broke the air traffic controllers union when they struckBroke the air traffic controllers union when they struck Cut welfare by $35 billion, removed 400,000 families Cut welfare by $35 billion, removed 400,000 families

from AFDC and took 1 million off food stampsfrom AFDC and took 1 million off food stamps Wanted to dissolve the Dept’s of Education and Wanted to dissolve the Dept’s of Education and

Energy but Congress refused (House solidly Energy but Congress refused (House solidly Democratic)Democratic)

The “Reagan Revolution”The “Reagan Revolution” Foreign PolicyForeign Policy

Reinvigorated the nation with aggressive Reinvigorated the nation with aggressive foreign policyforeign policy

Nationalistic rhetoric helped enhance public Nationalistic rhetoric helped enhance public spirit: “It’s morning in America”spirit: “It’s morning in America”

Invaded the tiny island of Grenada when Invaded the tiny island of Grenada when pro-Castro group killed leading government pro-Castro group killed leading government officials: first military “victory” after officials: first military “victory” after Vietnam.Vietnam.

Launched several air attacks against Libya Launched several air attacks against Libya for support of terrorism and bogus claims for support of terrorism and bogus claims of airspace in the Medof airspace in the Med

Used a Navy task force to escort oil tankers Used a Navy task force to escort oil tankers thru the Strait of Hormuz in defiance of Iranthru the Strait of Hormuz in defiance of Iran


Reinvigorated the Cold WarReinvigorated the Cold War Hostages release after election Soviet Hostages release after election Soviet

Union is “Evil Empire”Union is “Evil Empire” Rejected Carter’s “human rights” Rejected Carter’s “human rights”

philosophy and supported anti-communist philosophy and supported anti-communist dictators regardless of recorddictators regardless of record

Expanded activity of the CIA (eventually Expanded activity of the CIA (eventually causing his most damaging scandal)causing his most damaging scandal)

Gave aid to anticommunist rebels all over Gave aid to anticommunist rebels all over the globe (Afghanistan, Angola, the globe (Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Nicaragua)Cambodia, Ethiopia, Nicaragua)


Foreign PolicyForeign Policy Supported right-wing governments Supported right-wing governments

in El Salvador despite atrocities and in El Salvador despite atrocities and aided Nicaraguan “contra” rebels aided Nicaraguan “contra” rebels despite congressional protest (and despite congressional protest (and later law); See Iran-Contra Scandallater law); See Iran-Contra Scandal

Angered African Americans by Angered African Americans by “constructive engagement” policy “constructive engagement” policy on South Africa (Congress overrode on South Africa (Congress overrode his veto of trade sanctions bill)his veto of trade sanctions bill)


Foreign PolicyForeign Policy Lebanon disaster highlighted his Lebanon disaster highlighted his

ineffective Middle East policies (241 ineffective Middle East policies (241 Marines killed in truck bomb Marines killed in truck bomb attack);attack);

Embargoed arms sales to Iran, then Embargoed arms sales to Iran, then secretly made an “arms for secretly made an “arms for hostages” deal with Tehranhostages” deal with Tehran



The “Reagan Revolution”The “Reagan Revolution” Increased defense spending coincided with Increased defense spending coincided with

Mikhail Gorbechev’s rise in the U.S.S.R. and Mikhail Gorbechev’s rise in the U.S.S.R. and led to the “winning” of the Cold Warled to the “winning” of the Cold War Increased spending from $134 billion in 1980 to Increased spending from $134 billion in 1980 to

$290 billion in 1988$290 billion in 1988 Used SDI to intimidate U.S.S.R. into arms Used SDI to intimidate U.S.S.R. into arms

reduction talks: INF Treaty in 1986reduction talks: INF Treaty in 1986 Restored grain shipments to U.S.S.R. as Restored grain shipments to U.S.S.R. as

Gorbachev liberalized the Soviet Union with Gorbachev liberalized the Soviet Union with glasnost and perestroikaglasnost and perestroika

GHW Bush reaped the Cold War harvest when the GHW Bush reaped the Cold War harvest when the Berlin Wall came down (1989) Berlin Wall came down (1989) and Gorbachev and Gorbachev renounced the Brezhnev Doctrine; eastern Europe renounced the Brezhnev Doctrine; eastern Europe liberated itself and later the U.S.S.R. collapsed liberated itself and later the U.S.S.R. collapsed (1991)(1991)

The Watergate Scandal

Documents

nixon refuses

nixon resignscarter

nixon pardonclaims

supreme court orders

south vietnam

w subponea

watergate scandalwhy

vietnam nixons peace